Alarm rates that exceed an operator’s ability to manage them are common. This article explains the causes for high alarm rates and how to address them Modern distributed control systems (DCS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are…
Flooded condensers are the prime tower pressure-control methods for total condensers that generate only liquid products, and although these control methods can be troublesome, a good understanding of their principles will help achieve improved, trouble-free operations Pressure is the most…
By intensifying cooperation between process designers and cost engineers in the conceptual stage of plant projects, better-informed decisions can be made on the economic viability of plant projects The global economic environment is competitive, demanding and fast-paced, and becoming more…
Accurate pricing of CPI plants involves integrating technical design with economic evaluation and accounting for many types of risk. Knowledge of costing methods from the perspective of EPCs and owner-operators is critical Engineering is, by its nature, a commercial activity.…
Commonly used in the CPI, sulfuric acid requires many special precautions to ensure its safe handling and storage Sulfuric acid, sometimes called the “king of all chemicals,” is widely used in the chemical process industries (CPI) for the manufacture of…
These seven-steps form a guideline for handling ethically challenging situations in technical jobs Exercising sound ethics in the chemical process industries (CPI) surely requires a large dose of technical know-how, but it also requires a set of good ethical practices…
How would you respond to these hypothetical situations involving ethics questions in the CPI? Although not an everyday occurrence, ethical questions, large and small, confront each of us in our professional lives. For professionals in the chemical process industries (CPI),…
Determining net positive suction head (NPSH) can be confusing, but with these guidelines, engineers can avoid the pitfalls of incorrect calculations Most engineers have likely heard the term NPSH (net positive suction head) at some point in their careers. Put…
In cases where full containment of dangerous and hazardous chemicals is necessary, seal-less pumps can provide many safety and operational benefits To the average person, many of the raw materials that are commonly used in the chemical process industries (CPI)…
Understanding the nuances of low-temperature engineering is key to safe and efficient operations Extremely low temperatures — below –100°F (–73.3°C) — have many widely diverse commercial uses, from de-flashing of molded rubber parts on the plant floor to pristine storage of…